Salvage of failed total elbow arthroplasty.

We had to revise 14 total elbow arthroplasties, three for infection, six for aseptic loosening, four for instability, and one for a failed bearing mechanism. All of the infected elbows were converted to resection arthroplasty with elimination of infection but with poor function; in one acceptable motion was achieved after a fascial arthroplasty. Those that failed aseptically were salvaged with reimplantation of other devices, either a custom implant or a semiconstrained device, which was also used in those nonconstrained elbows that failed because of dislocation. All of the noninfected elbows were successfully revised with relief of pain and motion comparable to or better than that present before revision.